How to Use Coastal Boho Decor in Your Home for the Ultimate Relaxed Style

What is Coastal boho decor?

Coastal boho decor is a unique and beautiful design style that combines the relaxed vibe of coastal design with the eclectic charm of bohemian decor.

With its use of natural materials such as woven textiles, wood, rattan, jute, and linen, this style creates a warm and inviting atmosphere that instantly makes you feel at home. Picture yourself surrounded by the gentle hues of the ocean and the warm sun, and you’ll understand the appeal of coastal boho decor.

From white-washed furniture to textured wall hangings, there are many ways to incorporate this style into your home. Try adding some boho-inspired throw pillows or a rattan chair to your living room, or experiment with a muted colour palette for a laid-back, beachy feel.

Whether you’re decorating a beach house or simply want to infuse some coastal charm into your home, coastal boho decor is definitely worth exploring.

Materials like shells, driftwood and other ocean-inspired accessories can be used to create a warm and inviting feel. These items are often used as accents and decorations, adding to the coastal boho décor theme and could include items you found on the beach on holiday or shell-shaped vases, ornaments or faux coral pieces (just don’t buy the real thing!)

Adding other coastal elements such as reclaimed wood furniture, whitewashed furniture that feels like it’s been sat outside in the sun and artwork with ocean or beach scenes can help complement your coastal-inspired accessories.

In addition to the natural materials and beachy elements, this boho beach decor style often features a mix of textures and patterns, which brings bohemian influences into the design.

Textiles like linen, cotton, and wool are used to add depth and warmth to the space, while patterns like stripes, florals, and geometric shapes are visually appealing and add personality.

Chic Area Rugs Living Room, Dining Room, Bedroom - Traditional, Oriental Boho Rug Style and Soft Medium Pile for Easy Care — Oriental boho rug – Amazon

When they are combined, they create an eclectic and unique feel to any room. Textiles such as jute and soft pile rugs, macrame wall hangings, and embroidered fabrics are also commonly used.

The colour palette is typically muted and earthy, with a focus on shades of blue, green, beige, and white. The walls tend to be a bright white, with white-washed or weathered furniture.

However, pops of brighter colours like turquoise and coral can also be incorporated to brighten up the room and depth to the space.

Why should you use coastal boho décor in your home?

grey sofa and blue persian style rug in the living room with wooden beams painted white and an oak kitchen in the background — Image credit: Ruggable

This is a style of home decor that combines elements of bohemian and coastal design to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere.

This unique style of decor offers a number of benefits that make it an excellent choice for anyone looking to update their home’s interior design.

1. It creates a relaxed and cosy vibe

Coastal boho decor is all about creating a comfortable and welcoming space that feels like a reflection of your unique personality and style.

The natural elements and muted colours used in this style of decor create a calming and peaceful environment that’s perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

2. It incorporates natural materials and textures

The main decor theme is characterized by its use of natural materials like rattan, jute, and other woven textiles.

These materials add warmth and texture to the space and create a connection to nature, making it feel more peaceful and tranquil.

3. It’s versatile and easy to personalize

blue armchairs, cream sofa, blue geometric rug, blue patterend fireplace surround, white beams and white walls all make up this perfect coastal boho decor themed room — Adding pops of blue to the laid-back feel of a coastal boho decor-style living room gives an automatic nod to the ocean. Image credit: Overstock.com

Coastal boho decor is an eclectic style that can be adapted to fit a wide range of tastes and preferences. It’s easy to personalize this style of decor by incorporating your own unique artwork, furniture, and accessories.

Whether you prefer a minimalist look or a more eclectic aesthetic, coastal boho decor can be tailored to suit your individual style.

4. It’s budget-friendly

It is often characterized by its use of thrifted and upcycled furniture and accessories. This makes it a budget-friendly choice for anyone looking to update their home’s decor without breaking the bank.

5. It evokes a sense of nostalgia and wanderlust.

wooden headboard with blue striped bedding, rattan light shade with green armchairs, a rattan rug and a bird of paradise plant in the bedroom — Adding pieces you have bought on holiday, or favourite items you have picked up from thrift stores can add a touch of nostalgia and interest to your room. Image credit: Overstock.com

Coastal boho decor often incorporates elements of travel and adventure, which can evoke a sense of nostalgia and inspire wanderlust.

This makes it a great choice for anyone who loves to travel or who wants to create a space that inspires a sense of adventure and exploration.

How to create a coastal boho décor vibe in your home

white shiplap walls are flanked by oak framed window, a grey sofa with blue striped cushions, shelving with shells and plants on it and a wooden rocking chair in the living room — Image credit: B&M Home – You can read about B&M latest SS23 homewares in this blog post

Whether you’re looking to create a cosy retreat or a welcoming living area, coastal boho elements can help bring a sense of calm and serenity to any room.

Don’t overthink about combining materials, colours and accessories. Choose items that you love, and as long as they stick to an overriding beach and boho theme, they will work!

Natural Materials

Using natural materials like stone, marble, and wood can help bring a sense of authenticity to your decor. These materials not only look great but also add a sense of timelessness to your space and will rarely go out of fashion.

Rattan furniture is the perfect way to add natural materials to your space and can automatically make a room feel coastal. The rattan look has seen a huge resurgence in the last few years and it’s definitely here to stay!

round rattan lounge chair next to a window with grey walls and a macrame hanging — Desser Shanghai Rattan Lounge Chair, Natural – John Lewis

You can use rattan material in many different forms. The obvious choice is rattan chairs or a chest of drawers, but you could also use this versatile material as a coffee table, tray, mirror or basket to hold your blue and white striped throws!

Muted Colours

white living room with tasselled chandelier and fireplace, dark blue persian rug, round oak coffee table and wooden shelves — I absolutely adore this living room by Jessica Sarah Morris– she really has nailed the coastal boho trend with her use of neutral textures and colour with a hint of blue. Read her living room makeover here – whitepicketfarmhouse.com

This modern coastal decor style is typically characterized by a muted colour palette that includes shades of white, beige, and other neutral tones.

These colours create a calming and peaceful environment that’s perfect for relaxing and unwinding.

Blue and White stripes

blue and white striped rug with a rattan and glass coffee table on top of it, cream sofas with striped and polka dot cushions and a large blue coral artwork — The blue and white striped rug is complemented by the artwork in similar colours. Image credit: Completely Coastal

This nautical pattern will never look out of place in a coastal boho-styled room. This style of pattern provides a fresh and vibrant look and can be added as cushions or rugs as a statement piece.

If you are going for a blue and white stripe rug, pick 2 colours from the rug and match them to plain cushions to balance the rug and pull the whole scheme together.

Shiplap Walls

Are shiplap walls still a thing? Of course they are! They are such a classic style, they won’t be going anywhere soon.

White shiplap walls help keep a room feeling clean and crisp and do not need a lot of upkeep, apart from the odd wipe-down.

Painting them a neutral colour like white or greige will create a fabulous backdrop to the rest of the room where you can use a bit more colour, like blue and white stripe cushions and artwork.

white shiplap wallpaper on the side of a staircase with consol table and rattan baskets — White Panel Wallpaper – Dunelm

If you don’t fancy the fuss of ripping everything out of a room and buying shiplap kits or wood to create the look, there are plenty of fabulous stores that now offer shiplap in the form of wallpaper!

An easy way to quickly update a room in style

Eclectic Accessories

large faux coral sea sculpture on top of a book — Wave Resin Faux Coral Sea Sculpture – rowenhomes.com

Incorporating a mix of vintage and modern accessories can help to create a unique and eclectic look. These accessories can include things like bohemian textiles, coastal-inspired artwork, and upcycled furniture.

Adding a nautical theme to your accessories is a clear nod to coastal boho décor!

Layered Textures

shiplap walls with floating shelf, bed with lots of layers and textures and rattan bench in the bedroom — How cosy is this setup? All you need now is the sound of the sea. Read more on B&M Homewares for Spring Summer 2023

Natural textures like woven textiles, waffle bedding, fluffy throws, rattan furniture, and wood accents are another great way to bring a touch of nature into your home whilst creating that cosy and inviting scene that coastal boho decor is all about.

What do you want most after a long day at the beach and the cooler nights? To have a hot shower and snuggle up in bed or on a sofa with a good book and cup of tea. Take me there right now!

Whitewashed Furniture

Coco Sideboard, which comes in whitewashed mango with brass plated legs and handles — Whitewashed Coco Sideboard – atkinandthyme.co.uk

Whitewashed furniture refers to pieces of furniture that have been treated with white or light-coloured paint, stain or wash to create a distressed, vintage or beachy look like it has been out in the sun all day!

Whitewashed furniture can be quite understated so it is a great way to showcase all your eclectic accessories by placing them on top!

Casual Vibes

Stunning Swinging Chair & Cushion Made From Rattan Perfect Indoors Or Outdoors — Just as good outside as in. Chic Antique Rattan Old French Swinging Chair & Cushion – Silver Mushroom

Coastal boho decor has a relaxed and casual vibe that’s perfect for creating a space that feels like a retreat from the stresses of daily life.

This might mean incorporating comfortable seating options like floor cushions or hammock chairs or swing chairs made out of rattan or bamboo.

With your chairs in place, create a cosy reading nook with plenty of pillows and soft lighting.

Lots of Light

corner of a living room with lots of windows, rattan lightshade, rattan chairs and coffee table pouffe. The ceiling is made with wooden panels. — Image credit: Pinterest (unknown)

Filling your home with natural light often gets overlooked and is one of the last things we consider when decorating our homes, but it is one of the most important factors when it comes to designing and choosing a colour.

Having a room full of sunshine and light can help make your room feel like a coastal retreat.

Try and maximise light where possible by keeping the window treatments minimal so they don’t steal any light from the room (which will apply to most of us, unless you are lucky enough to have a room like the above!)

Natural Elements

salvaged wood bench — Adding distressed or salvaged furniture is one of the best ways to add natural elements to a room. Talda Reclaimed Elm Bench – Nkuku

Coastal boho decor often incorporates natural elements like plants, seashells, and driftwood to create a connection to the natural world.

These elements add a touch of whimsy and playfulness to the space, while also creating a sense of serenity and calm. Salvaged wood turned into furniture is one of the best ways to add natural elements to a room.

Adding plants to your home is one of the easiest and most effective ways to incorporate natural elements into your décor.

Plants not only look great but also provide numerous health benefits. They help purify the air and can even boost your mood. If you have dark corners in your home, don’t worry! You can mix real and faux plants depending on the light and position of the room.

Macrame Hangings

Macrame Border Voile is decorated with a stunning macrame detail and crafted from a linen blend fabric in a natural colourway for a warm and inviting feel. — Macrame Border Ecru Hidden Tab Top Single Voile – Dunelm

What is a boho room without a macrame hanging?

Bohemian decor is all about a free-spirited and artistic lifestyle. Macrame hangings fit perfectly into this style because they are often made by hand and have a natural, organic look.

However, you can think outside the box when it comes to coastal boho decor.

If you don’t want to go down the route of adding macrame everywhere, which lends its hand to a more boho feel, how about adding macrame as a detail in curtains, cushions and throws?

Tips for creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere in your home

Creating a relaxed and inviting atmosphere in your home can help you unwind and destress after a long day and this is one of the most important factors when it comes to creating a coastal boho decor feel in your home.

Often, we have been stuck in sterile offices or workplaces so it is good to come back to our home comforts, and this is exactly what coastal boho décor is all about!

Here are some tips to help you create a space that feels cosy, comfortable, and welcoming:

Use Warm Lighting

Lighting can have a big impact on the overall ambience of your space. Instead of using harsh, bright lights, opt for warm and dimmer lighting.

You can achieve this by using table lamps, floor lamps, or even string lights.

Add Comfortable Seating

Relax into this super fluffy faux-fur beanbag from icon. Complete with a tapered back for extra comfort and surrounding shape to keep you cosy whilst you rest. Faux-leather handle to transfer your beanbag into any space. — You can’t get more comfortable than this! icon Cocoon Yeti Faux Fur Beanbag Lounge Chair – Urban Outfitters

Creating a comfortable seating area is essential for creating a relaxed atmosphere. Invest in a cosy or oversized sofa, plush armchair, or even a bean bag chair for a laid-back feel.

Incorporate Soft Textures

blue and white striped fluggy rug with a grey sofa, white tasselled throw, striped cushions and a large rattan mirror in the living room — Zemer Wool Berber Rug – Dunelm

Soft textures like fluffy rugs, cosy throws, and plush pillows can make your space feel much more inviting. These textures also help to create a warm and cosy atmosphere that’s perfect for relaxing.

Add artwork

cream walls and curtains with a plump white corner sofa, blue cushion and throws next to pampass grass in a tall blue vase and an ocean inspired gallery wall in the living room — Plenty of ocean-inspired artwork in this beautiful gallery. Image credit: posterstore.co.uk

Adding artwork to your walls can help make your space feel more personal and inviting.

You can choose pieces that reflect your personal style or opt for nature-inspired art to create a soothing atmosphere. Adding artwork with ocean or sea-inspired scenes can help incorporate a coastal boho décor theme.

Use Calming Scents

Evoking a salty breeze, crashing waves, coastal walks and beautiful shells from far away places. — The seashore glass candle – chaseandwonder.com

Using essential oils, candles, or diffusers can help create a relaxing atmosphere in your home.

Scents like lavender, chamomile, and vanilla can help promote relaxation and reduce stress. Sage and sea salt can almost have you on a boat, sailing off the coast of the Mediterranean!

Where to shop for coastal boho décor

If you’re looking to decorate your home with coastal boho decor, but don’t want to break the bank, here are some places to find unique and affordable pieces –

Charity shops, thrift stores and flea markets – These places are often full of unique, one-of-a-kind pieces that you won’t find anywhere else. Look for items like vintage macrame wall hangings, woven baskets, and rattan furniture.
Online Marketplaces – Places like Etsy and eBay are great places to find affordable coastal boho decor. You can find a wide variety of handmade and vintage items, including throw pillows, wall art, and decorative objects.
Discount Stores – I love places like TJ Maxx, Target, and HomeSense. They often have a huge selection of coastal boho decor at affordable prices. Look for items like natural fibre rugs, woven throw blankets, and decorative wall mirrors.
Local Artisan Markets – Many cities have local artisan markets where you can find handmade coastal boho decor. These markets often feature local artists and makers who create unique, one-of-a-kind pieces.
DIY Projects – If you’re feeling crafty, you can create your own coastal boho decor at home. Look for tutorials online for DIY projects like macrame plant hangers, driftwood wall art, and woven wall hangings.

shoreline with coral design wallpaper in blue and grey with whitewashed corner sink unit, cream floor tiles and a bedroom in the background — Natural History Museum Shoreline Wallpaper – Dunelm

Incorporating coastal boho decor into your home is a great way to create a relaxed and inviting atmosphere that reflects your personal style.

By adding natural elements, earthy colours, and relaxed beachy vibes, you can create a space that feels like a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Whether you’re on a tight budget or have a bigger budget to work with, there are plenty of ways to find unique and affordable coastal boho decor to add to your space.

With some inspiration, creativity, and a little bit of effort, you can transform your home into a cosy, coastal boho oasis.